A smoldering heat lamp atop a reptile cage at the Abilene Zoo forced officials to remove several animals from their cage late Saturday night, according to the Abilene Fire Department.
Several units responded to the call at 11:45 p.m. Saturday after a night watchman reported seeing smoke coming from the restrooms at the Creepy Crawley Center, which houses reptiles at the zoo. Firefighters reported seeing smoke but no visible flames.
“There was no fire, just a smoldering heat lamp,” said Vonceil Harmon, general curator for the zoo.
Crews found the heat lamp smoldering on top of the cage of the black spitting cobra and removed it. They then ventilated the buildings to reduce the level of carbon monoxide.
After the area was ventilated, the zoo curator, the night watchman and a herpetologist removed two snakes and a tortoise from the cage.
The heat lamp was repaired Monday, and the animals will be returned today when the area reopens for visitors.